The Power ShiftMovement, a political enlightenment and inclusion pressure group, on Wednesday stressed the need to strengthen internal democracy in political parties within the country.
The Convener of the movement, Mr Nonso Nnamani, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu that from careful observation internal democracy had been hindered to flourish in most political parties due to “money politics”.
Nnamani noted that competent and upright leaders had been denied emergence even before the internal primaries in most parties due to huge money politics and financial muscles being displayed in the current political dispensation.
According to him, the political parties have so monetised their internal democracy process that well-intentioned and competent people cannot bring themselves out to declare their intention to serve any more.
The convener, however, berated the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for not placing a ceiling to the involvement of money in the overall internal party politicking and the general spending on campaigns.
“INEC as an umpire that wants the best for the system, should have placed a ceiling on the issues of buying of forms; aspirants, candidates and political parties spending before and during election proper,” he said.
Nnamani noted that as the current political realities are unfolding, “it is clear that there is nothing new rather there is likely to be a deeper political crisis within political parties at the end of the day.
“The political parties are not giving priority to competence and integrity as well as capacity and innovative leadership ideas.
“It is still the same old circle and order currently playing out,” he said.
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NAN reports that the Power Shift Movement seeks to actively campaign for youth inclusion in governance.
It also seeks to change the face of Nigerian politics through education and awareness campaigns that promote greater participation in politics across the general population and the youth in particular.
